TCL T8C QLED TV Review: Premium Features Without the Premium Price

TCL has long been known for making TVs that give you more for your money, and the T8C series is no exception. It combines vibrant QLED picture quality, a sleek design, strong gaming features, and a surprisingly good sound system—all while staying firmly in the affordable category. If you’re looking for a TV that feels high-end without the high-end price tag, the T8C is worth a serious look.

Design: Sleek and Practical

The TCL 55T8C makes a strong first impression. Its frameless design and slim metal body give it a clean, modern look that blends easily into most living rooms. TCL has also added a practical touch: the two-position adjustable stand (available on the 65- and 75-inch models) lets you fit the TV onto a wider variety of furniture setups. Of course, wall mounting is also an option, thanks to the standard VESA holes on the back.

The casing is a bit thicker than some ultra-slim models—around 70 mm at its deepest point—because of the direct LED backlight system. Still, TCL has tapered the back panel to keep the profile looking neat on a wall. One unusual design choice is the small silver “Premium QLED” sticker on the front corner. It doesn’t block the screen, but it does catch the eye in daylight.

The TV ships with a large remote packed with shortcut buttons to streaming services. Oddly, there’s no dedicated Play/Pause button—you’ll need to rely on the central OK button, which can feel unpredictable in some apps.

Picture Quality: Bright and Vivid, With Some Trade-offs

The direct LED backlight is one of the highlights here, offering more precise brightness control across 60 zones. While it can’t match the finesse of Mini-LED dimming, it’s a solid step above edge-lit models, especially at this price point.

The T8C uses an HVA LCD panel (similar to VA panels), which boosts contrast but narrows viewing angles. Colors and brightness start to drop off if you’re not sitting directly in front. Reflections can also be noticeable in bright rooms. Still, for most everyday use, it performs well.

Brightness peaks at around 450 nits, which is plenty for SDR content. For HDR formats—HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG—the TV does a respectable job, though it can look a little dim in bright daytime settings, especially in Dolby Vision mode where brightness control is limited.

Blacks aren’t OLED-deep, and some darker shades lean toward gray, but overall color reproduction is excellent for the price. TCL also deserves credit for its clear on-screen HDR format indicators, which make it easy to know what you’re watching.

Motion handling can be tweaked in the settings, and while it’s not perfect, the 144Hz panel really helps smooth out action scenes, sports, and fast-paced gaming. Compared to the usual 60Hz or 120Hz TVs in this price range, the jump to 144Hz is noticeable.

Gaming: Built for Smooth Play

Gamers will find a lot to like here. With HDMI 2.1 ports, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), the T8C keeps input lag low and visuals smooth. It supports both 120Hz and 144Hz refresh rates, plus AMD FreeSync, making it a solid match for both consoles and gaming PCs.

There’s also a Game Bar overlay, giving quick access to key settings mid-game. Competitive players can even push the panel to 288Hz at Full HD resolution using TCL’s Dual Line Gate (DLG) technology. It won’t replace a high-end gaming monitor, but it’s impressive for a living room TV.

Smart TV: Powered by Google

The Google TV interface is one of the most polished and content-rich platforms available today. Navigation is smooth, search is quick, and the system does a nice job of personalizing recommendations. Built-in Google Assistant means you can control the TV, launch apps, or search for movies with just your voice.

Screen casting is seamless thanks to Google Cast support, and TCL has also included Google Meet compatibility, which could be handy for video calls on the big screen.

Sound: Better Than Expected

Unlike many budget TVs, the T8C doesn’t completely skimp on audio. It includes a 2.1-channel speaker system, with two downward-firing drivers and a rear-mounted woofer developed in partnership with Onkyo. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are supported, and logos pop up when detected.

The sound is punchier and fuller than most slim TVs, though it still can’t replace a proper sound system or a premium soundbar. For the best experience, pairing it with something like TCL’s own Q65H soundbar will give you a true cinematic setup.

Connectivity: Plenty of Options

TCL has equipped the T8C with:

• 2× HDMI 2.1 (one with eARC)

• 2× HDMI 2.0

• 1× USB 3.0

• Ethernet and optical audio out

• 2 antenna inputs and CI slot for pay-TV

Wireless support includes Wi-Fi 5 and the newer Bluetooth 5.4.

Pricing in the U.S. (August 2025)

• TCL 55T8C – around $570 USD

• TCL 65T8C – around $680 USD

• TCL 75T8C – around $960 USD

That puts the T8C series well below the price of comparable Mini-LED or OLED models, while still offering many of the same features.

Conclusion

The TCL T8C series strikes an excellent balance between affordability and performance. You get a bright and colorful QLED panel, strong gaming capabilities, decent sound, and the full Google TV experience—all in a stylish, well-built package.

Yes, the viewing angles aren’t perfect, Dolby Vision can feel too dark in daylight, and audiophiles will still want a soundbar. But at this price, the T8C delivers tremendous value.

If you’re looking for a TV that packs in premium features without a premium price tag, the TCL T8C should be high on your list.

Author: Bryan Schmidt